More than half the dead -157 - perished in the capital, while another 73 died in the state of Morelos, 45 in Puebla, 13 in Mexico State, six in Guerrero and one in Oaxaca.

Saturday's jolt triggered alarms and left street signs swaying in Mexico City, prompting brief evacuations from piles of rubble and buildings still standing.

"I was frightened because I thought, not again," said Alejandra Castellanos after she ran downstairs from the second floor of a hotel with her husband.

"Oh God, have mercy," exclaimed Teresa Martinez, 74, who had run out in to the street for safety. She and other woman stood around in tears.

Buildings more vulnerable

Luis Felipe Puente, the head of Mexico's civil protection agency said no new damage was immediately reported after Saturday's quake, but rescue efforts had been suspended to see if the new tremors had put workers further at risk.

US Geological Survey geophysicist Paul Caruso said previously damaged buildings were made more vulnerable by aftershocks.

So a smaller earthquake can cause the damaged buildings to fail," he said.

As Mexico City's rescue operations stretched into Day 5, residents throughout the city still held out hope that dozens missing might be found alive.